39

Riona’s heart skipped a beat and anxiety was written all over her face,she never expected her to ask such question out of nowhere.
“What? No it’s not like that I promise” she said softly with spike of disappointment mixed in her tone.
Casita’s lips curled in a smirk and examine her for a while before speaking up.

“That’s a good decision,so for how long do you plan to stay? Do you think Angelico would really search for his daughter just to get her back home to my brother?” Casita said.

“That’s what he told me... he said the only way to get my life back is to keep playing his daughter’s role as a wife” Riona said with her head down and picking her nails.

“Listen Riona, I won’t lie to you for one bit,I don’t trust you neither that man. Everyone knows the kind of ill relationship he’s got with my brother and that Farah girl would never come back home. She’s a butterfly.”

“There is something I don’t understand though, i thought you and Farah are friends? So how come Black and her father ain’t on good terms?” Riona questioned.

Casita chuckled softly then brushed her hair back with her hand.
“Just because we are friends doesn’t mean we are close,hanging out together doesn’t define close relationships okay? It’s just girls stuff and like the saying,it’s better to keep your enemy close” Casita said with a wink.

Riona nod her head processing the words.

“I’m still on the matter of not trusting you. I already told you the truth about Angelico so I’ll be giving you two weeks to solve everything and stop faking your identity else I will be forced to inform brother of your partnership with Angelico,his number one enemy” Casita explained
Seeing the look on Riona’s face,she pitied her even though she’s not sure why and she decided to make herself clear.
“That’s not a threat, it’s just a warning “ she added

“I understand and I so much want my life back too, I have no one to help me get back my properties and...” she paused when she realized talking about her personal life light sell her off to Casita,in case her plan with Angelico didn’t work out,Casita might hunt her down.

“Uh uhm thanks for considering me Casita” Riona said.

“We are not close enough for me to keep your secret so don’t get this the wrong way. My eyes will be on you” Casita said with a sign of her fingers to her face and at Riona.

Riona forced a smile to ease the tension in the air.

She thought to herself how Casita could be so beautiful and looks reserving yet so dangerous when she switched over. The mafia blood sure runs deep.

A knock on the door snapped Riona back to reality as Ace came in,he is Black’s right hand man.

“Greetings ma’am, hi lady Casita” he said.

Casita made an awkward grin without opening her mouth to reply his greetings then turned to the other side of the bed while Riona asked why he came back without Black.

“Mr.Black asked me to send you home for the day,he’s got pressing issues to attend to and might return so late today” he informed.

Hearing that,Casita turned back to face him.
“He won’t even come back to say bye to me? It’s too early to retire home,he doesn’t want me here?” Casita whined.

Ace has a quizzed face on because it’s been a while he saw Casita act so calm and cute.
“Not really Lady Casita,he went to check the available evidence of your attack and I’m sure he would visit you again before going home” Ace assured.

“Uhm can I stay for a while? I would love to keep her company with mother please” Riona said.

Ace was about to talk when Riona cut in “Please I want to be of help to everyone,I can’t just keep sleeping and eating in that big house when my family is not settled” she said and immediately she said that,realization hit her that she’s spitting out nonsense and getting her hopes high again.

This won’t end well for her if she gets into the role of Farah too much.

Just then,her phone started ringing and the caller ID showed Angelico’s name.

Her heart rammed against her chest on sighting who the caller is. She got Ace attention and he happened to see what he used to save her father’s number. He looked over at her from the phone.

She swiped up the green button and forced a smile followed by a submissive okay.
“Ma’am do you need to go somewhere?” Ace asked.

“Uh yes, my father wants me to come over so I guess I will have to leave after all” She said.

“That’s good then, mom should be enough to keep me company... nice catching up with your father” she said with a wave.

“I wish you sound health” she said.

“I’ll escort you there ma’am, boss asked me to take you home personally” He said.

Riona agreed and they walked out of the hospital together.

On getting to the parking lot, Ace got the car door for her and got in too before swerving out of the building.

Few minutes later,they arrived at Angelico’s mansion. He pulled over in front of the big grand entry but Riona got the door herself this time around.

She looked up only to see Angelico with a frown on his face waiting for her,age knew Ace presence must be the cause of his cold face.

Ace alighted from the car to follow her in but she stopped him “Come on, this is my father’s house and if I don’t feel safe here,where else would I be safe?” She said with a smile.

Ace said nothing in return other than his protective instinct acting over. He’s been with Black for a very long time now and he’s very smart in his job but Riona’s smile isn’t helping his gut.

He stepped back and Riona carefully lift her gown to climb up the steps.


. . . . . . .
On getting inside, Angelico ushered her to a table where there are two cups with wine and fruits basket. The smoke from his cigarette filled the room.
Angelico came from behind with his gun in his hand and trailing it down Riona’s back.

She flinched and made a swift turn,anger flickered in her eyes and her lips wavered in fear. The mixed feeling didn’t go unnoticed for Angelico.

“I remember giving you order young lady,why haven’t I heard a positive response yet?” He said.

“What? It hasn’t been long you asked for the impossible and I’m trying my best but you know this can’t be the right time for it, his sister was attacked! He’s going through a lot” Riona explained.

Angelico flipped his cigarette at Riona who screamed and was quick to wave it off her body, it dropped on her dress though leaving a dark spot on her gown.

“You don’t yell at me young lady, you are nothing before me, you should never forget that” He said as he pour out wine into the two glasses.

Riona sniffs in the tears threatening to fall and exhaled deeply to evade the anxiety wrestling within her.

“Also what were you saying about Black going through a lot? If you are enjoying the role of his wife so much,why haven’t you slept with him?” He said.

“How did you know we haven’t slept together?” She asked.

“Well apart from the part that you haven’t yet gone for your honeymoon,I have my way with things. When I said I’ll be watching you, his house is not excluded” he said.

Riona sighed heavily and went on her knees.

Angelico hand over a glass to her while he took his own and sat on his chair with his staff on his thighs.

“Drink” he said.

Riona stares at the wine in distaste before sipping from the cup on second thought. “He wouldn’t kill me for now anyway” she thought inwardly.

“You only want me to play your daughter’s role till you will find her right? Why do I have to sleep with him? Are you even looking for your daughter?” She said.

“In this situation,we’ve got no deal. I’m only trying to save your life and that’s by doing whatever I told you. Black is my enemy and he crossed the line by asking for my daughter in return to spare my life.

I’m sure he’s not treating you so well,it’s just a matter of time before he would have the time to torture you and inflict pain on you because of me. Don’t be fooled with whatever you are experiencing right now girl. Listen to me and let’s carry things out successfully” Angelico said.

The words got to Riona and she remembered what Casita told her about keeping her feelings in check.

All she wanted was a happy life after her parents death but life chose to be unfair to her. Her boyfriend betrayed her,she got tangled up in the world of guns and drugs where she can’t even have a say on how to live.

The best thing to do is to watch herself and stop feeling so comfortable as Black’s wife.

“Do you think he would love you after finding out you’re nothing but an impostor? He and Farah had such a spicy past and I guess that’s why he asked for her and not my wealth . My daughter is different from you!” He spelled it out for her.



. . . . . . . . . .
Ace has been waiting for Riona like forever and he was getting worried,he tried calling her but she didn’t pick his calls. He was about to go in when the door flung open to reveal Riona walking out in distress and so lost in thought.

She walked to the car without maintaining eye contact with Ace but he rushed to get the door for her. His eyes noticed the dark spot on her gown while tucking it inside the car and he hesitated before closing the door.

Ace got her back home and after making sure she went straight to her room,he gave orders to the maids and the security men at home before driving out again.

Riona spent the whole day thinking and pondering about what she was told today.
She soaked herself underneath the shower for hours till she got sick.


Very late at night,Black arrived at the mansion alone without Mrs.Selena. She decided to stay over and watch over her dear daughter and he left Ace with them knowing how skilled he is.

He was looking so tired and heavy with thoughts coupled with the fact that Ace informed him of Riona’s visit to Angelico’s villa and the things he noticed.



The maids noticed the change in his countenance because they have never seen him that down before. He asked for Riona and he was told she never came out of her room since she got back.

He went to her room to check on her only to see her sleeping so innocently on the bed. He didn’t want to wake her up and ruin her sleep so he decided to use the bathroom first and talk to her tomorrow.

He was drawn in by her ethereal beauty and he didn’t know when he went closer to the bed. He crouched beside the bed and trace his hands on her lips gently,surprised at how soft her lips are,he was tempted to have a taste of her. “What are you hiding from me when you are in no position to hide anything?” He whispered.

He bit his lips to evade the hot sensation he’s feeling and he stood up with his hand in his pocket. He likes to get things out whenever he’s stressed and since he’s not the type that love girls that much,he does it on his own.

Tonight he’s stressed and Riona happens to available unlike other days that he’s got no options to chose from. It’s just a tiny line between his thought of waking Riona up or going into the bathroom to do things his ways.